Monday, May 2, 2011

The End is Near....

Thus far, what has been your most meomorable moment in the 2010-2011 school year? 
It could be sports-related, class-related, personally-related or whatever you feel stands out in your mind as the thing you will reflect on when the year is over.

(350-400 words/50pts)

Monday, April 18, 2011

What's On Your Mind?

Every week I ask you something that requires you to think. Many of you like that, some don't. It's understandable; sometimes we don't like looking that closely at ourselves for a variety of reasons. The thing is, though, if we ever want to grow as individuals, if we want to learn and expand our views of the world, of ourselves, of our situations, we HAVE to look deeply into the things that we are most afraid of.
This week, the question is a bit different.
While it does require some deep introspective thought, it also allows you an opportunity to get something that has been on your mind off your mind, if only for the time it takes to write it down.
So--what's on your mind?
This blog post requires at least 400-450 words.
:)  Love ya.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

"Suffer the Little Children..."

At some point, I will probably write an OP about crappy childhood memories that shaped my life etc etc, blah blah blah...Everybody has a story and for better or worse, our childhoods are what set us on the path to adulthood. Sometimes the harder and more painful they are, the better off we become-- as crazy as that sounds.  Sometimes, the opposite happens. It all depends on the person, the memory, the childood etc.
So, this week, I would like you to dig deep and think about your most memorable childhood moment.
What was it?
Did it shape the way you look at things, the way you act toward people and the way you look at yourself?
Why?

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Success

What is your definition of success?
How will you know if you have achieved it?  How did your definition of it come to be what it is?
Has it changed over the years?

Monday, March 21, 2011

If You Could Change the World....

Mohandas Ghandi once said:  "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
I've tried it--it's hard, but I keep trying. 
Change is hard. We already know this, and some of you will find out in a few months, change happens fast and comes at you when you least expect it.  But, for as scary as it can be, it also provides opportunities and opportunities are good.
So, let's think BIG PICTURE for a moment and step outside your daily life here in sunny ML or Mullica or AC or wherever you live.
Out of these three world-wide epidemics, problems or concerns, which one would you change and WHY.

1. WAR
2. RACISM
3. POVERTY

How would you change the once you choose?

Think carefully--this blog counts as a test grade.

350-400 words

Monday, March 14, 2011

My Turn

This week, at long last, we will be getting back to the fine art of debating. We will be in the library on Thursday and you will be looking up stats and articles on the legalization of prostitution and the prosecution of youth criminals as adults. Cheerful, huh?
We have been doing some work on public speaking and will continue to do so, and for this blog, I want you to get inside MY head for a change.  I want you to tell me why you think that I think it is so important to be a good speaker, to make logical decisions and to keep your emotions in check when you are doing either (speaking or deciding).  Is it because I don't like you and want to change you and your behavior? Do I think my way is smarter than your way?
So, based on everything you know about me (admittedly, that is not a lot but work with it), why do you think I do what I do and teach what I do especially given the fact that so many of you disagree with most of the things I say?
 As always, I'm listening...

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Plan

For the most part, kids are notoriously bad at planning for the future. It's one of the things that keeps a kid, well, kid-like I guess.
Now, this is a generalization and I don't mean to insult you Type-A folks who plan out your lives to the second because that feels better. I'm talking about kids as a rule--the norms not the exceptions. 

Our class is made up of 10th, 11th and 12th graders and all of you are at very important milestones in your lives: seniors obviously are getting ready to leave the halls of Oak and go and make their way in the world; juniors are getting ready for their last year of high school, and sophomores are gearing up for what most people (including me) say is the hardest and most important year of their academic careers.

So, my question for you this week is--do you have a plan?  If so, what is it?  If not, how come?